It’s been a few years since TikTok went viral and shook up the social media universe forever. However, even if you weren’t dancing, DIYing your home, or trying trending recipes during the early days of the platform, it’s never too late to get started on TikTok.
In fact, with an estimated 1.7 billion active users on the platform in 2024, now is the perfect time to get your brand on board.
Here are four simple steps for getting started on TikTok:
Step 1: Define Your Goals
The first step of creating a TikTok (or any kind of social video content for that matter) is to decide on the types of videos you want to produce. Do you want to offer insights into your brand’s industry? Show off your company’s personality? Tell the stories of the people behind your organization?
First, it’s good to establish the primary purpose of your videos. This primary goal will likely fall into one of three areas:
to entertain your audience;- to inspire your audience;
- to educate your audience.
Once you have decided on your goal, you will need to figure out how to translate it into your content. There are many paths you can take to achieve your goal in each of these categories. Here are just a few ideas:
- a point-of-view video, showing a visual or perspective from your lens;
- behind-the-scenes content of creating a product or preparing for an event;
- a quote with text describing a fact, tip, or insight;
- trending sounds to fit any industry or topic using text, visuals, and more.
Step 2: Select Your Equipment and Film
Now that you have defined the purpose of your social videos, it’s time for the fun part: filming!
You can film your TikTok natively in the app, or with other video equipment or devices. Once you have determined which device you’ll be filming with:
gather your group or film solo using a tripod, ring light, or anything that will hold your device up (sometimes even a water bottle will do the trick!);- select any desired sounds, effects, and templates;
- ensure you’re filming vertically and framing the shot with TikTok’s features in mind (ex. like, comment, and share buttons);
- film for a specific amount of time by adjusting the timer in the TikTok app.
- watch the video or clips to ensure focus, audio, and framing is correct.
TIP: Read our guide on “Selecting Equipment for Social Video” to find the right tools for creating your social video.
Step 3: Make Editing Magic
Once you have successfully filmed your footage, there are many different tools to help edit your video into the finished product. Some of our favorites include:
- editing natively inside the TikTok app;
- iMovie, which is free with various Apple devices such as computers, iPhones, and iPads;
- CapCut, which is free and offers easy-to-use templates for various social platforms (in addition to allowing direct uploading to the TikTok app);
- InShot, which has both free and paid versions and offers editing tools, free vlog music, and more.
Each editing platform is different and offers various features, so it’s worth experimenting with several to find the one that works best for you.
TIP: TikTok’s algorithm favors content that has been edited directly through their app. When posting a video that has been edited outside of the app, adding features such as background music, text, and effects should be done natively on TikTok.
Step 4: Draft Copy and Post Your TikTok
Now that you’ve completed steps 1-3, it’s time to put the finishing touches on your TikTok.
Draft social copy to accompany your TikTok that is short but sweet. Include keywords and phrases that will help TikTok’s algorithm show your video to the intended audience.- Choose your cover and add a title card that makes sense for your brand or business. Treat this like a thumbnail. How will this differ from other videos on your page while remaining on brand?
- Include hashtags that fit your niche, tag other accounts when necessary, and ensure the proper privacy settings are selected.
- Double-check everything and then click post!
Congratulations — you’ve just successfully posted your first TikTok! Now that you’ve gotten started, here are some other resources to take your TikTok strategy even further:
